diff --git a/src/lib/components/ActionSidebar.svelte b/src/lib/components/ActionSidebar.svelte
index 03b7814..6405627 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/ActionSidebar.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/ActionSidebar.svelte
@@ -84,8 +84,9 @@
 		holdTimer = setTimeout(() => {
 			holdFired = true;
 			if (onreactionhold && saveBtnEl) {
-				const rect = saveBtnEl.getBoundingClientRect();
-				onreactionhold(rect.left + rect.width / 2, rect.top);
+				const circle = saveBtnEl.querySelector('.icon-circle');
+				const rect = (circle ?? saveBtnEl).getBoundingClientRect();
+				onreactionhold(rect.left + rect.width / 2, rect.top + rect.height / 2);
 			}
 		}, 350);
 	}
diff --git a/src/lib/components/EmojiShower.svelte b/src/lib/components/EmojiShower.svelte
index b21a967..fb655e9 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/EmojiShower.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/EmojiShower.svelte
@@ -29,22 +29,22 @@
 	let particles = $state<Particle[]>([]);
 
 	onMount(() => {
-		const count = 10 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);
+		const count = 8 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 5); // 8–12 particles
 		let maxEnd = 0;
 
 		particles = Array.from({ length: count }, (_, i) => {
-			const dur = 1.0 + Math.random() * 0.8;
-			const del = Math.random() * 250;
+			const dur = 0.8 + Math.random() * 0.6; // 0.8–1.4s (snappy)
+			const del = Math.random() * 200; // tight stagger
 			maxEnd = Math.max(maxEnd, dur * 1000 + del);
 
 			return {
 				id: i,
 				emoji,
-				x: x + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 30,
-				y: y + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 20,
-				scale: 0.5 + Math.random() * 0.9,
-				travel: 200 + Math.random() * 200,
-				wobble: 20 + Math.random() * 30,
+				x: x + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 80, // moderate spread
+				y: y + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 40,
+				scale: 0.6 + Math.random() * 0.8, // 0.6–1.4x
+				travel: 120 + Math.random() * 160, // 120–280px upward
+				wobble: 15 + Math.random() * 30, // gentle lateral drift
 				rotation: (Math.random() - 0.5) * 30,
 				duration: dur,
 				delay: del
@@ -95,32 +95,27 @@
 
 	@keyframes float-up {
 		0% {
-			opacity: 1;
+			opacity: 0.9;
 			transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0) rotate(0deg);
 		}
-		8% {
-			opacity: 1;
+		10% {
+			opacity: 0.9;
 			transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(var(--scale)) rotate(0deg);
 		}
-		25% {
-			opacity: 1;
-			transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--wobble)), calc(-50% - var(--travel) * 0.25))
+		40% {
+			opacity: 0.7;
+			transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--wobble)), calc(-50% - var(--travel) * 0.4))
 				scale(var(--scale)) rotate(var(--rotation));
 		}
-		50% {
-			opacity: 1;
-			transform: translate(calc(-50% - var(--wobble) * 0.5), calc(-50% - var(--travel) * 0.5))
-				scale(var(--scale)) rotate(calc(var(--rotation) * -0.5));
-		}
-		75% {
-			opacity: 0.7;
-			transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--wobble) * 0.3), calc(-50% - var(--travel) * 0.75))
-				scale(calc(var(--scale) * 0.8)) rotate(var(--rotation));
+		70% {
+			opacity: 0.3;
+			transform: translate(calc(-50% - var(--wobble) * 0.4), calc(-50% - var(--travel) * 0.7))
+				scale(calc(var(--scale) * 0.85)) rotate(calc(var(--rotation) * -0.5));
 		}
 		100% {
 			opacity: 0;
-			transform: translate(calc(-50% - var(--wobble) * 0.2), calc(-50% - var(--travel)))
-				scale(calc(var(--scale) * 0.5)) rotate(calc(var(--rotation) * -1));
+			transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--wobble) * 0.2), calc(-50% - var(--travel)))
+				scale(calc(var(--scale) * 0.6)) rotate(calc(var(--rotation) * -1));
 		}
 	}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/lib/components/ReactionPicker.svelte b/src/lib/components/ReactionPicker.svelte
index 2ab9e6a..490b6ee 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/ReactionPicker.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/ReactionPicker.svelte
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { REACTIONS } from '$lib/icons';
+	import { openSheet, closeSheet } from '$lib/stores/sheetOpen';
+	import { onDestroy } from 'svelte';
 
-	const RADIUS = 140;
-	const START_DEG = 120;
-	const END_DEG = 240;
+	// Reorder: heart last (rightmost, anchoring the bar)
+	const BAR_EMOJIS = [...REACTIONS.filter((e) => e !== '❤️'), '❤️'];
 
 	const {
 		x,
@@ -19,20 +20,14 @@
 		dragMode?: boolean;
 	} = $props();
 
-	let pickerEl: HTMLDivElement | null = $state(null);
+	let barEl: HTMLDivElement | null = $state(null);
 	let visible = $state(false);
 	let hoveredIndex = $state(-1);
 	const btnEls: HTMLButtonElement[] = $state([]);
 
-	// Pre-compute arc positions (math coords, screen-y inverted)
-	const positions = REACTIONS.map((_, i) => {
-		const deg = START_DEG + (END_DEG - START_DEG) * (i / (REACTIONS.length - 1));
-		const rad = (deg * Math.PI) / 180;
-		return {
-			x: RADIUS * Math.cos(rad),
-			y: -RADIUS * Math.sin(rad)
-		};
-	});
+	// Block feed swipe while picker is open
+	openSheet();
+	onDestroy(closeSheet);
 
 	// Animate in
 	$effect(() => {
@@ -54,7 +49,7 @@
 		if (dragMode) return;
 
 		function handleOutsideClick(e: PointerEvent) {
-			if (pickerEl && !pickerEl.contains(e.target as Node)) {
+			if (barEl && !barEl.contains(e.target as Node)) {
 				ondismiss();
 			}
 		}
@@ -97,7 +92,7 @@
 		function handleUp(e: PointerEvent) {
 			const idx = hitTestEmoji(e.clientX, e.clientY);
 			if (idx >= 0) {
-				onpick(REACTIONS[idx]);
+				onpick(BAR_EMOJIS[idx]);
 			} else {
 				ondismiss();
 			}
@@ -113,21 +108,27 @@
 	});
 </script>
 
+<!-- x,y = center of the heart icon-circle (44x44) -->
+<!-- Bar right edge should align so the last emoji (❤️) sits exactly over the heart -->
 <div
-	class="picker-anchor"
+	class="reaction-bar"
+	class:visible
 	style="left:{x}px;top:{y}px"
-	bind:this={pickerEl}
+	bind:this={barEl}
 	role="listbox"
 	aria-label="Reaction picker"
+	ontouchstart={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+	ontouchmove={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+	ontouchend={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+	onpointerdown={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
 >
-	{#each REACTIONS as emoji, i (emoji)}
+	{#each BAR_EMOJIS as emoji, i (emoji)}
+		{@const delayIndex = BAR_EMOJIS.length - 1 - i}
 		<button
 			class="reaction-btn"
 			class:visible
 			class:hovered={hoveredIndex === i}
-			style="--tx:{positions[i].x}px;--ty:{positions[i].y}px;transition-delay:{visible
-				? i * 30
-				: 0}ms"
+			style="transition-delay:{visible ? delayIndex * 25 : 0}ms"
 			bind:this={btnEls[i]}
 			onclick={() => {
 				if (!dragMode) onpick(emoji);
@@ -140,14 +141,33 @@
 </div>
 
 <style>
-	.picker-anchor {
+	.reaction-bar {
 		position: fixed;
 		z-index: 200;
-		pointer-events: none;
+		display: flex;
+		align-items: center;
+		gap: 0;
+		padding: 4px;
+		border-radius: var(--radius-full);
+		background: var(--reel-icon-circle-bg);
+		backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+		-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
+		box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
+		/* Right-align: shift left by full width, then back by half the last emoji (22px = 44/2) */
+		transform-origin: right center;
+		transform: translate(calc(-100% + 22px), -50%) scaleX(0);
+		opacity: 0;
+		transition:
+			transform 220ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1),
+			opacity 150ms ease;
+	}
+
+	.reaction-bar.visible {
+		transform: translate(calc(-100% + 22px), -50%) scaleX(1);
+		opacity: 1;
 	}
 
 	.reaction-btn {
-		position: absolute;
 		width: 44px;
 		height: 44px;
 		display: flex;
@@ -158,36 +178,33 @@
 		padding: 0;
 		border-radius: var(--radius-full);
 		background: none;
-		color: var(--reel-text);
-		transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(0);
+		transform: scale(0);
 		opacity: 0;
 		transition:
-			transform 220ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1),
-			opacity 150ms ease,
-			color 120ms ease;
-		pointer-events: none;
+			transform 200ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1),
+			opacity 150ms ease;
 		-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;
+		pointer-events: none;
 	}
 
 	.reaction-btn.visible {
-		transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--tx)), calc(-50% + var(--ty))) scale(1);
+		transform: scale(1);
 		opacity: 1;
 		pointer-events: auto;
 	}
 
 	.reaction-btn.hovered {
-		transform: translate(calc(-50% + var(--tx)), calc(-50% + var(--ty))) scale(1.45);
-		color: var(--accent-magenta);
+		transform: scale(1.5) translateY(-16px);
 	}
 
-	.reaction-btn:hover:not(.hovered) .emoji {
+	.reaction-btn:not(.hovered):hover .emoji {
 		transform: scale(1.15);
 	}
 
 	.emoji {
 		font-size: 24px;
 		line-height: 1;
-		filter: drop-shadow(0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7)) drop-shadow(0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4));
+		filter: drop-shadow(0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4));
 		transition: transform 150ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
 		pointer-events: none;
 		user-select: none;
diff --git a/src/lib/reelPlayback.ts b/src/lib/reelPlayback.ts
index a591ca5..8418047 100644
--- a/src/lib/reelPlayback.ts
+++ b/src/lib/reelPlayback.ts
@@ -40,19 +40,13 @@ export function sendWatchPercent(clipId: string, maxPercent: number): void {
 	if (maxPercent <= 0) return;
 	const pct = Math.round(maxPercent);
 	const body = JSON.stringify({ watchPercent: pct });
-	if (navigator.sendBeacon) {
-		navigator.sendBeacon(
-			`/api/clips/${clipId}/watched`,
-			new Blob([body], { type: 'application/json' })
-		);
-	} else {
-		fetch(`/api/clips/${clipId}/watched`, {
-			method: 'POST',
-			headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
-			body,
-			keepalive: true
-		}).catch((err) => console.warn('[watch-beacon]', err));
-	}
+	// Use PATCH to update percent without marking as watched (only swipe-past marks watched)
+	fetch(`/api/clips/${clipId}/watched`, {
+		method: 'PATCH',
+		headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+		body,
+		keepalive: true
+	}).catch((err) => console.warn('[watch-percent]', err));
 }
 
 export function startPeriodicWatchUpdate(
diff --git a/src/routes/(app)/+page.svelte b/src/routes/(app)/+page.svelte
index edc4bab..523b7c2 100644
--- a/src/routes/(app)/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/(app)/+page.svelte
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@
 		}
 
 		function onPointerDown(e: PointerEvent) {
-			if (swipeAnimating) return;
+			if (swipeAnimating || get(anySheetOpen)) return;
 			const target = e.target as HTMLElement;
 			if (target.closest('.progress-bar')) {
 				tracking = false;
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@
 		}
 
 		function onPointerMove(e: PointerEvent) {
-			if (!tracking || swipeAnimating) return;
+			if (!tracking || swipeAnimating || get(anySheetOpen)) return;
 			const dx = e.clientX - startX;
 			const dy = e.clientY - startY;
 
diff --git a/src/routes/api/clips/[id]/watched/+server.ts b/src/routes/api/clips/[id]/watched/+server.ts
index 92d4151..0101e2c 100644
--- a/src/routes/api/clips/[id]/watched/+server.ts
+++ b/src/routes/api/clips/[id]/watched/+server.ts
@@ -39,6 +39,34 @@ export const POST: RequestHandler = withClipAuth(async ({ params, request }, { u
 	return json({ watched: true });
 });
 
+// PATCH: update watchPercent only — creates the row if needed but does NOT count as "watched"
+// Used for periodic progress tracking while user is still viewing
+export const PATCH: RequestHandler = withClipAuth(async ({ params, request }, { user }) => {
+	let watchPercent: number | null = null;
+	try {
+		const body = await request.json();
+		if (typeof body.watchPercent === 'number') {
+			watchPercent = Math.max(0, Math.min(100, Math.round(body.watchPercent)));
+		}
+	} catch {
+		// No body or invalid JSON
+	}
+
+	if (watchPercent === null) {
+		return json({ updated: false });
+	}
+
+	// Only update if the row already exists — don't create a watched record
+	await db
+		.update(watched)
+		.set({
+			watchPercent: sql`MAX(COALESCE(${watched.watchPercent}, 0), ${watchPercent})`
+		})
+		.where(and(eq(watched.clipId, params.id), eq(watched.userId, user.id)));
+
+	return json({ updated: true });
+});
+
 export const DELETE: RequestHandler = withClipAuth(async ({ params }, { user }) => {
 	await db.delete(watched).where(and(eq(watched.clipId, params.id), eq(watched.userId, user.id)));